From the moment Kylian Mbappé burst onto the global stage, comparisons with the greats — Messi, Neymar, Haaland — were inevitable. Yet among all those comparisons, one name holds a special, almost sacred place in his story: Cristiano Ronaldo. So, what Mbappé said about Ronaldo is never just casual praise — it’s a window into his dreams, his inspirations, and even his own identity in the modern football galaxy. In this article, GypsyGoal will accompany you as we unpack the heartfelt, bold and sometimes challengingly honest things Mbappé has said about CR7 — and what those words mean for football’s present and future.
A Boyhood Dream: Mbappé’s Idolization of Ronaldo
Long before Mbappé was donning Real Madrid’s colors or carrying the French national team’s hopes, he was a kid in Bondy who plastered his walls with posters of Cristiano Ronaldo. Over the years, Mbappé has publicly acknowledged that Ronaldo was his hero growing up — not just for his explosive goal-scoring but the aura, the work ethic, the relentless pursuit of greatness.
On the beUnited show on beIN Sports, Mbappé openly said:
“Would I have liked to play with CR7? Of course … It would have been incredible … but it will be difficult now.”
He then added that despite facing legends like Ronaldo on the pitch, none compares when he thinks of what CR7 achieved. These are not off-hand remarks — they reflect a long-standing bond of admiration, respect, and, perhaps, a desire to one day share the stage.
This emotional foundation gives weight to every subsequent statement Mbappé makes about Ronaldo — whether in praise, in critique, or in reflection.
What Mbappé Has Actually Said About Ronaldo
On Playing Together vs Facing Off
Mbappé has often wrestled with the “what if” of sharing a team with Ronaldo. He’s expressed regret that their careers didn’t align to form that magical partnership. But he’s also proud of having shared the pitch as opponents, absorbing the aura of CR7 in real time.
In multiple interviews, Mbappé has repeated that facing Ronaldo was itself an honor. He’s said that those duels taught him lessons not just tactically but psychologically — how to carry oneself under pressure, how a legend moves, thinks, reacts.
On Legacy, Comparisons and the Weight of Expectation
In his conversations, Mbappé has shown acute awareness of how comparisons with Ronaldo can shape narratives about him. He’s pushed back against trivializing what CR7 did, warning that many fans and commentators now treat Ronaldo and Messi as if their feats were just one more season of goals, rather than epoch-defining. Mbappé has also acknowledged the danger: once you reference Ronaldo in your story, your every move is compared to the benchmark.
At the same time, Mbappé has spoken of his own quest for identity — not merely being “the next Ronaldo” but forging a path that draws.
On Advice, Communication, and Mutual Respect
Mbappé’s remarks sometimes hint at an evolving dialogue with Ronaldo. While much public attention has focused on what Ronaldo said about Mbappé (advice, critique, protection), Mbappé himself has nodded to that influence. He acknowledges that Ronaldo’s words, as a senior figure and former Real Madrid icon, bear weight — but Mbappé rarely frames himself as a disciple; rather, as someone absorbing wisdom while defining his own style.
He’s also spoken of maintaining contact — “speaking frequently” — and expressed gratitude for guidance. That mutual respect shifts the narrative: it’s not mere fandom, but a connection between two generations of elite footballers.
Ronaldo’s Voice: What He Said About Mbappé (And Mbappé on That)
To understand fully what Mbappé said about Ronaldo, we need the mirror: what Ronaldo has said about Mbappé — and how that shapes Mbappé’s responses.
In an interview on El Chiringuito, Ronaldo declared:
“In my opinion, Kylian doesn’t know how to play as a striker. It’s not that he doesn’t know how, but it isn’t his position … If I was at Real Madrid, I would teach him to play as a 9.”
Ronaldo argued that Mbappé’s transition into the classic number-9 role is not intuitive for him, and that his greatest value lies in doing things his way — mixing wing play, pace, movement, off-ball runs.
He also added a plea:
“Look after the lad … He’s very good. The club have to help to protect him … I have no doubt he’ll bring a lot of joy to Madrid fans.”
That duality — critique and mentorship — has placed Mbappé under a spotlight. When people ask what Mbappé said about Ronaldo, some answers are indirect: Mbappé’s performance, responses, and media posture often feel like silent replies.
After Ronaldo’s words, Mbappé has elected not to engage in overt public rebuttal. Instead, he’s let his play and steady climb speak. His refusal to diminish Ronaldo’s opinions, even while asserting his own space, reveals confidence grounded in respect.
How Mbappé’s Words Shape His Image — And Ours
When fans search “what Mbappé said about Ronaldo,” they expect more than gossip — they want insight into Mbappé’s mind. His remarks paint a portrait of a player who understands legacy, burden, and growth.
Here are some ways Mbappé’s statements matter:
- Anchoring expectations: By publicly acknowledging Ronaldo’s influence, Mbappé sets the bar high — he invites comparisons, but also demonstrates he knows the weight.
- Emotional connectivity: His candid longing to have played with Ronaldo, his respect, his humility — these statements deepen his connection with fans who love stories, not just stats.
- Self-definition: By emphasizing that Ronaldo’s path is unique and that Mbappé must chart his own, he resists being a mere echo.
- Media deflection: Mbappé often avoids fueling the hype or the critiques. He doesn’t go head-to-head in verbal sparring; he lets performance respond.
These strategies make every quote or nod intentional. So when you revisit the question what Mbappé said about Ronaldo, you see layers: homage, challenge, identity, conversation.
Beyond Words: Moments That Echo Their Dialogue
To comprehend what Mbappé said about Ronaldo, it also helps to look at symbolic moments:
- Goal celebrations: On more than one occasion, Mbappé has mimicked Ronaldo’s trademark moves — a raised fist, a celebratory jump — not as copying, but as acknowledging a lineage.
- Putting up Ronaldo posters: Photos from Mbappé’s youth show walls adorned with CR7 images. That image has become almost symbolic — the dreamer’s bedchamber, the ambition before superstardom.
- Tributes in interviews: In press settings, Mbappé sometimes names Ronaldo first when listing idols or influences. He frames Ronaldo not just as predecessor, but as benchmark.
These visuals, gestures, and offhand remarks enrich what he says — they are nonverbal extensions of those statements.
What Mbappé’s Words Teach Us About Legacy
What can we, as fans and followers, learn from what Mbappé said about Ronaldo?
- Admiration doesn’t mean imitation — Mbappé shows it’s possible to take inspiration without losing individuality.
- Public respect strengthens credibility — by honoring Ronaldo’s path, Mbappé enhances his own narrative.
- Legacy is interactive, not static — every next-generation player will engage with the icons before them, and those dialogues (spoken or unspoken) enrich the sport’s history.
When Mbappé speaks of Ronaldo — with reverence, introspection, distance, or gratitude — he is both boyhood admirer and rising equal, acknowledging the past while carving his future.
Final Thoughts
What Mbappé said about Ronaldo is more than fan talk — it’s a living conversation between football generations. Mbappé’s words honor CR7’s genius, own their weight, and assert that his own story must be told.
If you want to explore more quotes between top stars — Messi, Maradona, Zidane — or dive into Mbappé’s statistical evolution under Ronaldo’s shadow, stay with GypsyGoal. Browse our interviews, match reviews, and legacy deep dives — and don’t forget to bookmark this space for your next football journey.
